Let me just say that I don’t eat at Burger King or any other fast food restaurant to begin with, so I would definitely not order Burger King for home delivery.   However, if you live in the Washington, D.C. area  you can now call in your order if you live within a 10 minute drive from a store.   Soggy burger and fries direct to your home within 30 minutes of the time a phone or online order is received.  Well, that isn’t how they are advertising it, but one can only imagine.   In that same 30 minute period, you could prepare a delicious, healthy meal on your own.  Here’s my latest creation that was easy and fast to make, not expensive, tasty and delicious, good for you, and with at least one local and seasonal ingredient (meeting my criteria for “healthy fast food”).

The recipe starts with squash, a local ingredient that I bought at the winter farmers’ market.  Squash is wonderful and easy to make.  Cut one in half (butternut, acorn, or any other variety) and scoop out the seeds.  I spray a baking sheet with olive oil and the inside of the squash and place the squash face down on the baking sheet.  Depending on the size, you can cook the squash in about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  While the squash is baking, cook some rice and heat up some black beans.   I like to spice my black beans up with some salsa (heat level to your liking).  When the squash is done, place each half on a plate, fill with rice and beans, top with shredded cheddar cheese and pop back into the oven for about 5 minutes to let the cheese melt.  I usually add a green salad to the meal because I can never get enough greens.

(CAVEAT:  some people CAN get too many greens, good as they are.  Greens are very high in vitamin K, a coagulant agent which contributes to clotting, strokes, and heart attacks. Anyone with a history of clotting disorders or who is on Coumadin should be careful with greens.)

Shopping List:  Squash, rice, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese, ingredients for a green salad of your liking.

Other suggestions for filling your squash include mushrooms, cheese (e.g. cheddar, feta), ground meat (beef, chicken, lamb, or pork), couscous, raisins, pine nuts, or garbanzo beans, or salsa.  Mix and match to your delight.

I can guarantee you it will beat Burger King home delivery or drive through and take out!

If you have 30 minute healthy fast food ideas, send them my way!